Nail Efficiency

Problem Scenario

This study will show which types of nails are the most efficient, and which ones you'll want to avoid. Don't waste time and energy with badly engineered nails. Knowledge is power, and knowing which is better helps.

Broad Question

How does this affect builders when they use nail guns instead of a hammer?

Specific Question

Which size of nail takes the least amount of force to be driven into the wood?

Hypothesis

I think the bigger nail would need more hits to be driven in the wood.


Graph of Hypothesis

Variables

Independent Variable:

Size of nails

Dependent Variable:

Number of hits till nail is driven in wood

Variables That Need To Be Controlled:

Thickness of wood,
Force of hammer swing,
Number of Nails

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General Plan

Build a contraption to hammer in nails with the same force each time. I am then going to record overall size and force required to drive in the nail.

Potential Problems And Solutions

• I could break down and maybe not work the way I want it to.
  • It could work for the first time.
• The contraption might not be built properly.
  • Fix the problem and rerun the experiment.

Safety Or Environmental Concerns

Nails and hammers are very dangerous when used improperly. Take careful precautions when wielding these items.

Experimental Design

What is your experimental unit?

Controlled, Manipulated Experiment

Number Of Trials:

3

Number Of Subjects In Each trial:

4

Number of Observations:

12

When data will be collected

February 5, 2013

Where will data be collected?:

At my house.

Resources and Budget Table

Item	Number needed	Where I will get this	Cost
Board	1	Home	Free
2x4	3	Home	Free
Hinge	2	Home	Free
Hammer	1	Home	Free
Nails	4	Home	Free

Detailed Procedure:

1. Get the materials to build my contraption
2. Build my contraption
3. Get nails to start my experiment
4. Start the process with the first nail
5. Continue process with the other three nails
6. Then record data on notebook
7. Also record data on laptop
8. Put on poster

Data Analysis:

All raw data:

Nail 1	Nail 2	Nail 3	Nail 4
3 1/2''	2 1/2''	2 1/8''	1 3/8''
2 11/16''	1 1/2''	2''	7/8''
2 5/8''	1 3/4''	1 7/8''	3/4''
2 1/2''	1 1/4''	1 3/4''	5/8''

Graphs:




Photo:

Results:

• Not all of my nails went in the same amount
• the first nail went it 1/8''

Conclusion:

My hypothesis was wrong it turns out none of the nails took more time to to hammer into the wood. They all took the same amount of time to get driven into the wood. My project, i thought, was good for builders if they would need this kind of information.

Discussion:

Benefit to Community and/or Science:

My information can benefit both the Community and Science because my project could help builders. My project could help when builders are constructing a building and getting there materials together.

Background Research:

References:

Abstract: